Category: ideas

I grew up by the ocean, and when as an adult I lived on the prairies, I missed it terribly. As a child, I would spend many happy hours digging and playing in the sand. When a teenager, I spent many, many hours on the huge rocks on the beach, which sat at the edge of the bluffs, dreaming of my future. During stormy times in my life, the ocean was a comfort and a mystery to me…especially when the fog was rolling in to shore, thick and wet, and the mournful sound of the fog horn was bellowing every few minutes. Little did I know that being on the beach was also healing for me.

Just over five years ago, my husband and I moved to be by the ocean again – but on the opposite side of our huge country of Canada from where I grew up. Now I am living in the Pacific Northwest, on Vancouver Island. I am so very blessed to be able to reach several beaches within minutes of walking, riding a bike or driving. And now that I am aware of the benefits of Grounding, I am even more grateful to be where the climate allows me to practise this form of wellness on a regular basis. But no matter where you live, you too can practise Grounding, or Earthing as it is also called.

So, just what is Grounding? There are many things which bring us health benefits, and the energy of the earth is one. It used to be that people received earth’s energy when they had their hands in the soil, gardening, or when they went barefoot in the grass and on sandy beaches in the summer. In fact, grounding is part of the reason many people like to spend vacations on a beach…they feel better, but are unaware of the reason why! When we connect with the earth directly – barefoot – we receive a tiny charge of energy which helps us feel well. Our bodies are great conductors, as we are made up of so much water, and the energy from the earth “recharges” our body battery, so to speak. The free electrons on the surface of the earth transfer into our body easily, as long as we have direct contact with the earth through our skin. The electric charge is even more beneficial if you are able to walk on WET sand, and who doesn’t love wading at the water’s edge of the ocean? But just walking barefoot through your grass, or sitting on a lawn chair with your bare feet in the grass/soil works beautifully as well.

Most of us in Canada don’t live in a climate which enables us to “ground” year round. Fortunately, with the latest technology, you can purchase various grounding sheets and blankets, as well as pads and mats for when you work on your electronic devices. My sister claims she gets relief from aches and pains when she sleeps on her grounding sheet, and there are many testimonials from product users which make me think there are definite health benefits for many, and especially for those who don’t have access to beaches, gardens, and grass in the winter.

Even though it’s now winter, I have the privilege of walking on the beach in my bare feet. The sand may be quite cold, but it’s possible. Even a few minutes of grounding is worthy of chilliness, and it seems to me that I should take every advantage of living next to the beautiful Salish Sea! So, for abundant wellness, begin to plan for ways you can incorporate grounding into your life. Feel the earth’s energy recharging your body with health and wellness. It’s free, it’s enjoyable, and it’s building your wellness, from the ground up!

For those of you who don’t know, one of the things I do to maintain my overall wellness is to be creative. At one time, it was knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, but when I finally tried what had been my heart’s desire all along, I found what filled me up and made me happy every time I did it. Every. single. time. Even when I was frustrated, I would still come away afterward with a sense of being “filled”, of “wind in my sails” or whatever term you want to use to say happy! contented! energized!

So, the sweet spot in creativity for me is as an artist. For you, it might be something like photography, calligraphy, journaling, or something else…there are probably as many ways to be creative as there are people. One thing I do know is that we all need to MAKE AND TAKE TIME to be creative. We are better parents, partners, friends, employees, entrepreneurs, professionals, etc. when we carve out time to express our creativeness in some way on a regular basis. Don’t underestimate the power of being creative in your overall wellness plan. It’s a must. Nonnegotiable. Just do it!

I’ve heard so much about what has become known as The Law of Attraction over the last several years, but I was never really comfortable with the concept as I understood it. Now, I could be wrong, but it seems to be that the short version is you decide what you want, you tell the higher power you believe in what your desire is, and the thing you are seeking will manifest itself in your life.

The reason this made me so uncomfortable is that it seems to indicate that each of us is in control of all of our life, is powerful beyond any and everything, and is dictating to a “higher power” what it should make happen in your life. Ummm…I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been able to control anything in this world except for…not even sure what would fit in the blank here. I can’t control when it rains, how much it rains, whether my garden grows, the rate at which my child grows, the number of hair that fall out of my head each time I shower, and so on and so on…

So, what I read recently seems to me to be a more accurate way of describing how things operate in our world. It’s called The Law of Reflection. I took this photo out my bedroom window as it demonstrated the concept rather well.

So, the short version is: as you do, so it will be done to you. When you are walking down a street, or in a store, have you noticed that when you smile at people, they tend to smile back at you? When a clerk is short with you, and you respond with a kind word, that this person appreciates your attitude and adjusts his or her own? When the sky is blue, that color is reflected in the water below? When there are grey clouds above, the water reflects that color as well? If you are generous with your time, your resources, your forgiveness, all of this comes back to you, often in greater amounts than you give? This is The Law of Reflection. This is not manipulation, which is born of selfishness. This is giving to others what you yourself want.

Do you want to be appreciated? Appreciate others. Do you seek generosity from others? Then give freely to them. Do you desire love? Then love others without condition. The Law of Reflection deeply appeals to me. It makes my life one of blessing to others, and in return, I receive the blessings that others have to offer me. This contributes to wellness, wholeness, and contentment.

Live a life based on The Law of Reflection. It will be rich beyond measure in ways you cannot anticipate.

(The Law of Reflection is taught in The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Cahn. Available at bookstores and Amazon)